BudgetS.D. high on the list of recipients of DHS funds, even as it faces “no specific or domestic terrorist threat”
Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, DHS has established an office in each state which oversees millions of dollars in federal grant and aid money for security related measures. Groups monitoring the DHS allocation of funds to states note the large amount of money allocated to South Dakota, despite the fact that the state is considered by intelligence agencies and officials to be one of fifteen states that have “no specific or domestic terrorist threat.”
Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, DHS has established an office in each state which oversees millions of dollars in federal grant and aid money for security related measures. Groups such as Stateline, a division of the Pew Charitable Trusts, have been monitoring and what states do with these DHS funds.
As theRapid City Journal reports, state such as South Dakota and Wyoming virtually top the list in federal funding, despite their low population and lack of immediate threats. Since 2003, $100 million has been given to South Dakota agencies and enforcement officials — ranking sixth in the nation.
As the Journal notes, much of this money has been spent on “fire trucks and ambulances for small towns; for surveillance cameras for schools and police stations; on communications gear for local and county police; on anti-cyber attack security; on electronic fingerprinting technology; and to increase bomb-disposal capabilities.”
The large amount of money was allocated to South Dakotavdespite the fact that the state is considered by intelligence agencies and officials to be one of fifteen states that have “no specific or domestic terrorist threat.” The latest DHS Office of Inspector General Report said, “We were unable to determine the extent to which federal homeland security grants enhanced the state’s ability to prepare for and respond to disasters and acts of terrorism.”
In response, South Dakota has invested in new strategies for managing intelligence data, including the Fusion Center, a bureau which will synthesize information collected by various law enforcement branches, including the FBI.
This is in place should the threat increase from groups such as regional white supremacist organizations, or opponents of the proposed Dewey-Burdock uranium mine and Keystone XL oil pipeline, which could eventually play a key part in the makeup of the state. Further, the upgrades to infrastructure have helped immensely in the emergency services preparation against another major threat — wildfires.
Kevin Thom, the Pennington County Sheriff, told the paper, “Say something catastrophic happens in Rapid City or happens in Spearfish or wherever. Units that respond will have the ability to go to a common channel and talk to each other.”
The state still retains 34 percent of its 2011 grant and 72 percent of its 2012 allotments.
